Re: Trim Gauge not working - Anyone?
I approached the same issue last Summer and the people on this forum were very helpful. You're starting with the same expense<=>value trade-offs that I had so here's my experience...<br /><br />The diagnostics and wiring diagrams available in most manuals are extremely valuable, in my case the $25 Mercruiser manual was well worth the expense, along with the advice of Trent and others. I quickly traced my problems to the trim sending and limit switches, along with some improper wiring to the controls done by the former owner. The first thing to determine is whether the problems are mechanical, electrical or both. Going through that diagnostic is necessary.<br /><br />For me (with a 1989, 19 footer), I concluded that the cost and effort was not worthwhile mid-season. It would have meant $250 in parts, taking the boat out of the water and removal/replacement of the drive, along with the other maintenance that I wouldn't want to pass up when the boats out of the water. The weather was too good and I was having too much fun so I let it go. Many on the forum said it was too much of a pain in the neck to diagnose and repair, and they suggested learning to trim the boat by feel, sound and engine RPM was a better long-term solution. I now agree...but it's nice to get a handle on trim position when starting out or when you're in the shallows like I am a lot.<br /><br />If the trim features work well mechanically, chances are you're hunting an electrical issue like me. Before starting out check availability of some parts, I was happy to find out before starting the repair that the port limit assembly was no longer available...it made the decision to delay the repair much easier.
